HERNIATED DISC
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc, also called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, occurs when a portion of the vertebral disc ruptures. Through the ruptured portion, the inner central portion of the disc (nucleus pulposus) is pushed out into the spinal canal on nerves in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar areas.
Because the spinal canal has limited space, the displaced disc presses on the nerves which can often lead to numbness and pain. Smaller herniations are sometimes called protrusions.
Herniated disc treatment in Boca Raton at TriMed Spine & Joint begins with identifying which disc is involved and how far the disc material has moved, because that is what determines whether conservative care, non-surgical spinal decompression, an interventional pain management procedure, or surgery is the right place to start.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
Herniated disc symptoms follow the nerve being compressed, so a cervical (neck) herniation produces symptoms in the arms and a lumbar (lower back) herniation produces symptoms in the leg, ankle, or foot. Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling along that nerve path is common in both patterns.
Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms
A cervical herniated disc irritates nerves that travel from the neck into the shoulder and arm, so symptoms are usually felt in one or both arms rather than in the neck alone.
- Discomfort in one or both arms
- Shooting pains in one or both arms
- Weakness or numbness in one or both arms
- Burning arm pain
Lumbar Herniated Disc Symptoms
A lumbar herniated disc compresses nerves that run down into the leg, so pain, weakness, or numbness appears in the leg, ankle, or foot and is often worse when sitting.
- Discomfort in the leg, ankle, or foot
- Shooting pain, weakness, or numbness in the leg
- Leg pain is usually worse when sitting
What causes a herniated disc?
Most herniated discs are caused by normal age-related degeneration of the disc wall, with trauma and a single episode of heavy lifting as the other common causes. Those causes apply in both the neck and the lower back, with sudden twisting adding to the list for lumbar herniations.
Cervical Herniated Disc Causes
Cervical herniations most often follow gradual disc degeneration, a traumatic injury, or one episode of lifting a heavy object.
- Degeneration due to the normal aging process
- Trauma
- An episode of lifting a heavy object
Lumbar Herniated Disc Causes
Lumbar herniations share the same causes as cervical herniations, with sudden twisting movements added to the list.
- Degeneration due to the normal aging process
- Trauma
- An episode of lifting a heavy object
- Sudden twisting
How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
A herniated disc is diagnosed by combining a physical and neurological examination with imaging that shows the disc itself. At TriMed Spine & Joint in Boca Raton, that means an in-office evaluation followed by digital X-Rays, an MRI, or a CT scan, depending on what your symptoms point to.
Your doctor will execute a neurological exam in order to test sensitivity, reflexes, muscle strength, nerve reactions, and pain spread. This is very useful for both the doctor and the patient to understand the type of pain or source of it. For example, a patient may experience leg pain; but after some tests, he’ll understand that this is Radicular Pain that can originate in the lower spine where the herniated disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve that travels down the leg.
X-Rays are used to rule out physical abnormalities of the spine and are typically not used alone to diagnose herniated discs. A CT Scan and/or MRI can show the soft tissue of herniated discs, including the actual stage and location of the herniation.
Our Boca Raton facility is equipped for diagnosis in one place, with digital X-Rays, MRI equipment, a Laboratory, and a Procedure Suite on site. The team treating herniated discs here includes chiropractic physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and interventional pain management specialists, and patients travel to us from across Palm Beach County.
Once your imaging comes back, the report itself can be hard to decode. Our plain-English guide, Your MRI Report, Explained, breaks down what terms like protrusion, extrusion, annular tear and foraminal narrowing actually describe.
How is a herniated disc treated?
Herniated disc treatment moves through four tiers, starting with the least invasive: conservative care such as chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and medication; non-surgical spinal decompression when the disc findings support it; interventional pain management procedures such as epidural injections; and surgery for the cases that truly need it.
Which tier you start in is decided after a careful examination, testing, and a confirmed diagnosis, and the starting point is determined by the degree of the herniation and how you respond to the non-invasive treatments.
What non-surgical treatments are used for a herniated disc?
Non-surgical care is the starting point for most herniated discs and combines chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, medication to control pain and inflammation, and epidural injections when pain is limiting rehabilitation. Our overview of non-surgical options for back pain sets out how these tiers escalate when symptoms do not improve.
Epidural injections are indicated for pain relief and sometimes for diagnosis. Surgery can be considered for those who do not improve with a more conservative approach.
One of the basic approaches of physical therapy when treating a herniated disc is targeted stretching and constant exercises for rehabilitation and to strengthen the back muscles. Epidural injections are often considered to provide pain relief so the patient can continue with the rehabilitation process.
Is DRX9000 spinal decompression an option for a herniated disc?
DRX9000 spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical option for disc-related herniations, and whether it fits your case is determined at your evaluation from your imaging and symptoms. Steven Cantor DC has advanced certification in DRX9000 treatment at TriMed Spine & Joint in Boca Raton. Published research on non-surgical spinal decompression includes a 2025 Military Medicine chart review of 267 patient records in which 90.5% reported pain reduction and average pain scores fell from 6.9 to 2.5, summarized in our DRX9000 clinical research summary. Individual outcomes vary. Call 1 (855) 487-4633 to schedule.
When is surgery needed for a herniated disc?
Surgery is considered for herniated discs that have not improved with conservative care, non-surgical decompression, or interventional pain management procedures, and most procedures used today are minimally invasive and do not require a hospital stay. TriMed Spine & Joint has orthopedic surgeons on staff for the cases that reach that point, and the three procedures used most often for disc herniation are anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, posterior cervical laminotomy, and lumbar partial discectomy.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion Instrumented
The ruptured disc is removed. It is then replaced by a bone graft. An anterior cervical plate is implanted for stability.
Posterior Cervical Laminotomy
The spinous process and lamina are removed to decrease pressure on the spinal cord. Instrumentation may be used to increase postoperative stability.
Lumbar Partial Discectomy
Removal of the herniated portion of the disc relieves the pressure on the painful nerve.
For more information on herniated discs and possible treatment options, call our specialists today.
Common Questions About Herniated Discs
These are the questions patients ask most often about herniated disc diagnosis, recovery, and treatment options at TriMed Spine & Joint.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its tougher outer layer, often pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, neck, arms, or legs, depending on which disc is affected.
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
Many herniated discs respond well to non-surgical care, including chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and spinal decompression therapy such as the DRX9000. Recovery varies by individual, and a proper evaluation helps determine the most appropriate treatment path.
Is chiropractic care safe for a herniated disc?
Chiropractic care, including non-surgical treatments like DRX9000 spinal decompression, is generally considered a safe, conservative option for many herniated disc cases. A thorough evaluation is important beforehand, since treatment approach depends on the severity and location of the herniation.
How long does it take to recover from a herniated disc?
Recovery timelines vary widely based on the severity of the herniation and the treatment approach used. Patients undergoing a structured program, such as DRX9000 spinal decompression combined with chiropractic care, often follow a multi-week treatment plan tailored to their specific condition.
When should I see a doctor for a herniated disc?
You should seek evaluation if you experience persistent back or neck pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that doesn’t improve, and especially if you notice any loss of bladder or bowel control, which requires immediate medical attention.
What causes a herniated disc?
Herniated discs develop due to several factors, but the top cause is natural aging. Over time, the discs dry out and harden, and the outer wall weakens. As a result, the disc begins to degenerate, and it only takes a little pressure to cause a herniated disc. You can also sustain a herniated disc due to an injury, from repetitive activities that stress your spine, or from lifting a heavy object.
What symptoms develop due to a herniated disc?
Herniated discs are known for causing pain. Your pain may arise from the disc itself, but it’s more likely to develop as the herniated portion pushes against nearby nerves. When the disc ruptures, the inner gel flows over nerves, causing irritation and inflammation. When you have a herniated disc, you’ll experience symptoms such as: Chronic pain in your lower back or neck; Numbness or tingling in your legs or arms; Pain radiating down your legs or arms; Muscle weakness in your legs, feet, arms, or hands Eventually, the herniated disc may flatten, which causes spinal instability.
How is my herniated disc treated?
Your doctor at TriMed Spine & Joint develops a treatment plan based on the severity of your herniated disc and the severity of your pain. The first line of treatment begins with nonsurgical care such as medications to relieve your pain, reduce swelling, and relax muscles. Physical therapy can also relieve pain, strengthen your muscles, and help you maintain an optimal range of motion. Your doctor may recommend an injection containing an anesthetic and steroids so that you can get quick pain relief from the anesthetic and longer-lasting relief as steroids reduce inflammation. When your pain persists despite conventional treatments, you may be a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery such as an extreme lateral interbody fusion, discectomy, and fusion, disc replacement, or a laminectomy to decompress spinal nerves. To receive customized treatment for your back or neck pain, call TriMed Spine & Joint or book an appointment online.
Herniated disc care at TriMed is delivered through the complete TriMed Protocol — decompression sequenced with the supporting therapies your case calls for.
Related Conditions and Treatment
Herniated discs share symptoms with several other spine conditions, and the related TriMed pages cover bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, pinched nerves, and DRX9000 spinal decompression.
- Bulging Disc – when the disc wall stretches outward but has not ruptured.
- Degenerative Disc Disease – age-related drying and thinning of the spinal discs.
- Sciatica – leg pain caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Pinched Nerve – numbness, tingling or weakness from nerve compression.
- DRX9000 Spinal Decompression – our non-surgical treatment for disc conditions.
Ready to Get Started?
A herniated disc evaluation at TriMed Spine & Joint in Boca Raton starts by reviewing your imaging and matching your symptoms to the affected nerve, so you leave knowing which treatment tier fits your case.